Along for the Ride is a captivating young adult novel from New York Times Number One bestseller Sarah Dessen, about learning to let go and enjoy life.

Auden has always felt like the odd one out.

Since her parents' divorce she's shied away, studying lots and staying out of the party scene.

But now Auden's realized there must be something more and, just like that, she changes everything. Moving to her dad's house opens up a whole new whole of beach parties, food fights - and simply having fun.

As she gets to know herself - and a secretive boy with dark, brooding eyes - can Auden begin to let go and finally feel like she truly belongs?

Acclaim for Sarah Dessen:

'Unputdownable' MIZZ

'A poignant coming-of-age story' Big Issue

'A compelling story and beautifully written' Time Out

Sarah Dessen is the author of six stunning teen novels: Just Listen, The Truth about Forever, Lock and Key, That Summer and What Happened to Goodbye. She lives in the countryside in North Carolina with her daughter, husband, some lizards and two very spoilt dogs - read her once and fall in love.

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"Beautifully captures that sense of summer as a golden threshold between past regrets and future unknowns." -"The Washington Post"

From the Back Cover

Auden has always felt like the odd one out.

Since her parents' divorce she's shied away, studying lots and staying out of the party scene.

But now Auden's realized there must be something more and, just like that, she changes everything. Moving to her dad's house opens up a whole new world of beach parties, food fights - and simply having fun.

As she gets to know herself - and a secretive boy with dark, brooding eyes - can Auden begin to let go and feel like she truly belongs?

Top customer reviews

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There are many Greats of the Young Adult genre; Megan McCafferty, Ann Brashares, Maureen Johnson, John Green, Lauren Myracle, Laurie Halse-Anderson, Sara Zarr, Judy Blume, Meg Cabot. The list is practically endless. Sarah Dessen, though, is my favourite of the lot. It goes without saying, then, that I got my hands on this latest book of hers as soon as I was able to, and I read it in one day. I wish now, though, that I had gone a little slower with it, because a week later the book is still on my mind, enough that I half want to read it again, already. But such is the magic of Sarah Dessen's books; they stay with you long after you've finished them, because it is so easy to fall in love with her characters, and even easier to miss them once your short journey with them is over.

This book is about Auden, a somewhat socially-awkward, cautious insomniac who was never truly allowed to be a child, and learns, in her final summer before beginning college, what it means to enjoy a childhood, even a late one. Auden visits Colby--the town in which Keeping the Moon was also set--to spend the summer with her dad, step-mum and brand new half-sister. She expects little of her time there, only committing to it on a rare whim. But despite her low expectations, during her time in Colby Auden learns that each one of her family members is more complex than she'd thought, her parents especially, in very different ways. She allows herself to be eased into the folds of girlfriendship, for the very first time, though not without first writing off the lively girls concerned as the stereotypes that her mother would instantly consider them. And she meets fellow insomniac, Eli, who, most complicated of all, reintroduces her to the notion of childhood and, essentially, living.

As is the case with all of Dessen's books, this tale is genuinely perfect in its pacing, and a beautiful glimpse into a truly believable summer of one on-the-cusp young woman. Each character is lovingly drawn, and realistically so, (including several cameos from characters avid Dessen fans will recognise from past books.) Every scene and chapter is rounded off in such a thoughtful, clever way that each chosen word seems heavy with meaning, and inspiring because of it. And when the story is over, with the loose ends ties up, but the promise of the still-untold as brilliant as that summer sun, it is incomplete only in the way it makes the reader yearn for yet another book crafted by this wonderful author.

Along For the Ride is a perfect summer read for older readers as well as younger ones, and just as much for those looking for something fun and enjoyable as for those looking for substance, too. Thoroughly recommended.

I have read every Sarah Dessen book published. I was so excited to learn she was coming out with a new one, ALONG FOR THE RIDE, that I marked the release date on my calendar. Was the wait worth it? Absolutely. Finished it in two days time, too - it would have taken me less time but I had to factor in pesky responsibilities like work.

I love the way Dessen writes. Her characters are always real, and the storylines are believable - you can't ask for more than that!

As with other Dessen books, there are multiple lessons learned in this book. The two that I felt that were most important (and I know it sounds cliché) is "Live, Love, Laugh" and "Never judge a book by its cover."

ALONG FOR THE RIDE is about a girl named Auden, fresh out of high school, ready to embark on the next leg of life but doesn't really know how to do it. The academic part she has down pat; the fun, let loose and be free part she has a lot of trouble with. Auden didn't have the typical childhood - she was more of an adult than a kid while she was growing up, entertaining herself through countless adult dinner parties revolving around academia.

She missed out on so many rites of growing up - racing up and down her block on bicycles or skates, hanging out at the pool with friends, going on dates and even the prom. While it was great that she had such a drive to do well, her parents, now divorced, incredibly high expectations was also very damaging to her psyche.

The cherry topping - Auden is an insomniac. Nothing, no matter what, changes or cures her insomnia. Of course, this can be a good thing, too, at least in her case. I can relate to the insomnia issue - it's just too bad that I haven't met the guy of my dreams during one of my episodes. I felt sorry for her many times throughout the book.

So she escapes for the summer, leaving her overbearing mother behind, to live with her father, stepmother, and brand new sister. Is she trading one mess for another? It proves to be a summer of change and friendship and love.

Auden definitely doesn't have an easy time of it - she has a lot to face, from how the turmoil of her parent's divorce has really affected her to actually having real friendships with girls and a guy who is genuinely interested in her.

Thisbee shows Auden how to love unconditionally and the power of connecting. Eli shows her the magic of first love and where to get a great cup of coffee and a slice of pie in the middle of the night. Finally, Maggie, Leah, and Esther show how great friendships can be. Everyday brings something new and her summer in Colby teaches her to enjoy and appreciate the life she does have.